REDBLACKS host Riders to open 2018 CFL season

REDBLACKS host Riders to open 2018 CFL season

The quest to return the Grey Cup back to RNation will begin on Thursday, June 21 when the REDBLACKS host the Saskatchewan Roughriders at TD Place to kick off their 2018 CFL campaign.

Ottawa’s regular season opener falls in Week 2, with the REDBLACKS’ first bye week coming in the opening week of the CFL calendar.

In all, the REDBLACKS will play five of their nine home contests under the lights at TD Place on Friday Night Football including their regular season finale on November 2 against the reigning Grey Cup Champions, Toronto Argonauts.

“It’s always exciting to find out who you are playing and when, so this is like an early Christmas present,” said Jeff Hunt, President, OSEG Sports. “Releasing the schedule now is also great news for fans thinking about season tickets as a Christmas present. We can’t wait to see RNation out in full force on June 21.”

Ottawa will face West Division opposition in four of the first five weeks of the season visiting Calgary (Week 3 – June 28), before hosting the Stamps (Week 5 – July 12) and Lions (Week 6 – July 20). Ottawa will face that Als three times – twice in Ottawa – including a Friday night tilt on August 31 to open Labour Day weekend. The REDBLACKS will visit Hamilton in two of the three meetings this season.

The REDBLACKS’ lone afternoon game at TD Place this season will come on Saturday, September 22 when they host the Edmonton Eskimos at 4 p.m. All other Ottawa home games will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. with exception to their Saturday night contest with the Alouettes on August 11 that goes at 8 p.m.

With their first bye week coming in Week 1, the REDBLACKS will have breaks again in Week 11 and Week 16 with home games following all three of their bye weeks.

Pre-season play will open Thursday, May 31 for the REDBLACKS when they host the Alouettes at TD Place before visiting the Toronto Argonauts the following week.

The East Division Semi-Final is set for November 11, with the East Final going November 18. The 106th Grey Cup will be held in Edmonton on November 25.